Government of Canada : Margate Riverview Cottages get Accessibility Upgrades

Multigenerational travel is driven by the Baby Boomer generation

January 11, 2017 - Margate, PE - Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

2015 marked the first year in Canada where persons aged 65 years or older exceeded the number of children aged 0-14 years, creating a need for the tourism industry to adapt its services and products in order to appeal to an older generation of travelers. Margate Riverview Cottages plans to meet the growing trend in multigenerational travel by upgrading one of its existing two-and-a-half star cottages to a fully accessible four-star rated unit.

The Honourable Wayne Easter, Member of Parliament for Malpeque, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), today announced support for the accessibility upgrades. The Government of Canada, through ACOA's Business Development Program, is supporting this project with a $118,750 repayable contribution.

Kristen's Kabin, the name given to the cottage undergoing the renovations, will be outfitted with accessibility features such as wider halls and doorways, lowered light switches and lamps, and a wheelchair accessible sink and shower. Kristen's Kabin will be Margate Riverview Cottages' second fully accessible unit. The first, Lorna's Loft, debuted in 2015.

Quotes

'The Government of Canada, through ACOA, works to improve productivity and growth in Atlantic Canada's rural areas through a variety of strategically focused mechanisms including the expansion and modernization of existing rural businesses. By helping tourism-based businesses like Margate Riverview Cottages achieve these goals we are continually strengthening the economy in the Atlantic region.'

- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

'The Government of Canada is proud to support Margate Riverview Cottages as they create a comfortable, convenient and safe place to be enjoyed by all visitors, regardless of age or physical limitation. With a scenic, coastal location, Margate Riverview Cottages is an attractive, accessible accommodation product in rural Prince Edward Island.'

- The Honourable Wayne Easter, Member of Parliament for Malpeque

'After experiencing a growing number of requests for accessibility features in our cottages, we decided it was time to consider new long-term goals and plans to better cater to the evolving needs of today's tourist. We are very pleased to receive this repayable funding from ACOA, and the professional support from the staff was very helpful to get our plans in place. With these upgrades, we feel that we are in the position for future success in the growing tourism market on PEI.'

- Bernard and Cheryl Jay, Owners, Margate Riverview Cottages

Associated Links

Contacts

Chris Brooks
Director of Communications
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-566-7569

Bernard and Cheryl Jay
Owner
Margate Riverview Cottages
902-439-3726